Marine drive



April 1966 J. E. URBASSIK 3,245,374

MARINE DRIVE Filed Jan. 6, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I I If, I I I l@ Jim 94 (I I I 22 24 24 up I INVENTOR.

85 BYJOSEPH E. URBASSIK ATTORNS April 12, 1966 J. E. URBASSIK MARINE DRIVE 4 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Jan. 6, 1964 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH E. URBASSIK BY ATTORNEYS April 1966 J. E. URBASSIK 3,245,374

MARINE DRIVE Filed Jan. 6, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ululi fg iss INVENTOR.

JOSEPH E. URBASSIK April 12, 1966 J. E. URBASSIK 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTOR.

JOSEPH E. URBASSIK M, s" ATTOR YS Patented Apr. 12, 1965 3,245,374 MARINE DRKVE Joseph E. Urisassik, Saginaw, Mich, assignor to Eaton lvl'anuractnring Company, Cleveland, Ohio, 2: corporation of Ghio Filed Zen. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 335368 it Claims. (Cl. 115-41) The present invention relates to a mechanism for steering a boat, and particularly to a marine drive steering mechanism for turning the propeller which powers the boat so as to effect steering of the boat.

A principal object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved steering mechanism for a boat which is simple in construction, reliable in operation, and readily assembled in the boat.

Another principal object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved steering mechanism for a boat and which is substantially ll dden from view.

Another principal object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved marine drive for a boat which includes a housing means for the drive mechanism of the boat and a steering mechanism located within the housing means and operable to turn the propeller of the boat to effect steering of the boat.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved marine drive for a boat having an inboard engine for rotating a drive shaft connected to a propeller and a steering mechanism for turning the propeller to effect steering of the boat and wherein the boat requires only a single opening therethrough, through which the drive shaft extends and through which a steering actuating member extends for operating the steering mechanism.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved marine drive steering mechanism for a boat and operable to turn an outboard power leg carrying a propeller to effect steering of the boat and wherein the steering mechanism is connected to the outboard power leg so as to allow the outboard power leg to tilt-up or kick-up whenit strikes an object in the water.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved parallelogram type linkage steering mechanism for a boat for turning the outboard power leg which carries the propeller for driving the boat, in opposite directions to effect steering of the boat, and wherein the linkage mechanism includes parallel link members which pull the outboard power leg in opposite directions.

A more specific object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved parallelogram type linkage for turning the outboard power leg of a marine drive to effect steering of a boat and wherein the parallelogram linkage includes spaced parallel link members connected to the outboard power leg by connections which effect turning of the outboard power leg for steering purposes and simultaneously allow the outboard power leg to kick-up or tilt-up when it strikes an object in the water.

A further object is the provision of a new and improved marine drive steering rnechanism including a parallelogram linkage for turning the propeller of a boat to effect steering thereof which includes spaced parallel link members connected to a tiller member which may be rotated in opposite directions to pull the parallel link members in opposite directions to cause the respective link members to ellect turning of the propeller in opposite directions whereby the respective parallel link members are in tension when effecting turning of the propeller.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment made with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which: 7

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a marine drive embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the marine drive shown in FIG. 1 taken approximately on section line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the marine drive shown in FIG. 1 taken approximately on section line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and with certain parts removed;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional View of the mechanism shown in FIG. 3 taken approximately on section line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective View of the steering linkage portion of the marine drive mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately on the section line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional View similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the mechanism in a position for turning the boat; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of the steering linkage of FIG. 7 partially in section and illustrating the steering linkage in an operating position.

The present invention relates generally to a steering mechanism for a boat, and particularly, to a steering mechanism associated with a marine drive for a propeller carried by the outboard power leg of a boat and which, upon rotation, powers the boat. The steering mechanism is operable to turn the outboard power leg and the propeller carried thereby to eflfect turning of the boat. The steering mechanism not only effects turning of the outboard power leg for steering purposes, but also allows for kick-up or tilt-up thereof in the event that the outboard power leg engages an object in the water.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a marine drive It for a boat is illustrated in FIG. 1. The marine drive It functions to transmit torque from the engine .of

the boat, not shown, to the propeller 11 supported by the outboard power leg 12 of the boat. The propeller 11, upon rotation, propels or drives the boat through the body of water in which it is located. As to those skilled in the art, the direction that the boat travels depends upon the angular disposition of the PTO! peller 11 about a substantially vertical axis with respect to the boat, as will be more apparent from the description hereinbelow.

The marine drive 10 includes a drive shaft 13 which is operatively connected at one end to the engine of the boat. The drive shaft 13 extends from; the engine through an opening 14 in the transom 15 of the boat, and its other end is connected to the input member of a conventional universal joint assembly 16 which permits uni: versal relative movement between the input member and an output member thereof. The output member of the universal joint 16 is suitably connected to a drive shaft, not shown, which is operatively connected to drive the propeller 11 and forms a portion of the outboard power leg. The specific structure of the universal joint and the drive mechanism for transmitting torque from the universal joint assembly 16 to the propeller 11 form no part of the present invention and will not be described in detail.

The drive mechanism for transmitting torque from the engine of the boat to the propeller 11 is encompassed by a housing means. The housing means includes a mounting support sleeve or engine mount adapter 20 which extends through the opening 14 in the transom 15, and

is well known is structurally connected at its inner end with a suitable support usch as the engine housing (not shown). The engine mount adapter 26 suports a forward joint housing 21. The forward joint housing 21 includes a pair of hollow housing members 22 and 23 which are suitably secured together in end to end fashion as by screws 24 shown in FIG. 2. The housing member 22 is sup-ported in the interior of the engine mount adapter 20, and the end 23a of the housing member 23 which is secured to the housing member 22 extends into the end of the engine mount adapter which is located on the outer s de of the transom 15 and is supported thereby. The housing member 23, as best shown in FIG. 3, diverges laterally outwardly from the end 23a, and the outermost lateral opposite side portions of the housing member 23 are b1- furcated as indicated at 25 and 26, respectively, for a purpose to be described hereinbelow.

The housing means also includes a rear joint housing member 27. The rear joint housing member 27 is substantially dish-shaped and is smaller in its transverse dimension than is the internal transverse dimension of the housing member 23. The rear joint housing member 27 is suitably secured to a housing 28 for the outboard power leg 12. The housing 28 for the vertically extending outboard power leg 12 includes upper and lower housing members 29 and 30, respectively, and the rear joint housing member 27 is secured to the upper housing member 29. The housing member 29 is provided with a pair of vertically spaced substantially horizontally extending arms 31, 32 which extend beneath the rear joint housing member 27 toward the transom 15 for a purpose to be described hereinbelow.

A suitable Y-shaped yoke member 35 having a pair of vertically extending arms 36 and 37 and a vertically extending stern portion 33 connects the forward joint housing member 23 with the housing member 29 so as to provide for pivoting movement of the housing member 29 relative to the forward joint housing member 23. The stem portion 38 of the yoke member is located between the arm members 31 and 32 of the upper housing member 29, and the arm members 36 and 37 of the yoke member are positioned in the bifurcated portions 25 and 26, respectively, of the forward joint housing member 23. Suitable pin members 40 and 41 extend through the bifurcated portions 25 and 26, respectively, and through the arms 36 and 37, respectively, of the yoke member 35 and pivotally support the arms 36 and 37 of the yoke member and permit rotation of the yoke member about a horizontal axis which corresponds to the axis of the pins 40 and 41. The stem portion 38 of the yoke member, which is positioned between the arms 31 and 32 of the housing member 29, is secured thereto in a manner to provide for rotation of the housing member 29 and the rear joint housing member 27 which is connected thereto about a substantially vertical axis. A substantially vertically extending pin member 44 extends through the stem portion 38 of the yoke member and through the arm members 32 and 31 of the housing member 29 and supports the housing member 29 for rotation about the axis thereof.

From the above description it should be readily apparent that the universal joint assembly 16 permits the outboard power leg 12 to be moved universally relative to shaft 13. Moreover, the housing member 29 and the propeller 11 carried thereby can be moved in opposite directions about the axis of the pin 44 and, in so doing, the angular disposition of the propeller about the axis of pin 44 is changed and the direction in which the force provided by the propeller acts is changed and, in this manner, the boat may be steered. The rear joint housing member 27 is sized so as to move in the interior of the housing member 23 and the housing member 23 carries stops 45, 46, FIG. 3, which engage the opposite ends of the housing member 27 when pivoted to its extreme positions.

Furthermore, it should be apparent that the housing member 29 of the outboard power leg 12 and the rear joint housing member 27 as well may be tilted upwardly or kicked up about the axis of the pins 40 and 41 and, in this manner, the outboard power leg and the propeller 11 may be kicked up in the event that they strike an object in the water. When fully kicked up the housing member 27 engages a stop member 47 supported by the housing members 23 and shown in FIG. 4. The universal joint assembly 16 allows for the kicking up of the outboard power leg 12 as well as for the turning of the outboard power leg for steering purposes without interrupting the transmission of torque between the drive shaft 13 and the propeller 11.

According to the present invention, the marine drive includes a steering mechanism 49 which is operable to effect rotation of the outboard power leg 12 about the axis of the pin 44 to effect a turning of the propeller 11 and thereby effect steering of the boat. The steering mechanism 49 is located wholly within the housing means which houses the drive connections and is connected to the rear joint housing member 27 and is operable to effect a turning thereof and, in turn, a turning of the propeller 11 for steering purposes. The steering mechanism 49 preferably comprises a parallelogram type linkage mechanism and includes a pair of parallel extending link or rod members 5% and 51 diametrically positioned on opposite sides of the drive shaft 13. The outermost ends of the parallel link members 50, 51 are connected to the rear joint housing member 27 by suitable connecting means 52 and 53, respectively. The connecting means 52, 53 connect the link members 50, 51, respectively, to flange portions 54 and 55, respectively, of a bracket member 56 which is suitably connected to the rear joint housing member 27.

The connecting means 52. and 53 permit movement of the rear joint housing member 27 relative to the outer ends of the parallel links 51, 52 about the substantially vertical axis of the pin 44 for steering purposes and about the axis of pins 40, 41 for kick-up as will be described hereinbelow. The connecting means 52 and 53 are identical in construction and in order to simplify the present disclosure only the connecting means 52 is described in detail hereinbelow, and the same reference numerals used to designate parts of the connecting means 52 are used to designate corresponding parts of the connecting means 53.

The connecting means 52 comprises a pair of clevis members 60 and 61. The clevis member 69 has a pair of arm portions 62 and 62a which extend on opposite sides of the flange portion 54 of the bracket member 56. A suitable pin member 63 extends through the arm portions 62 and 62a of the clevis member 60 and through the flange portion 54 of the bracket member 56 and rotatably supports the bracket 56 for movement about the axis of the pin 63 relative to the clevis member 69. The clevis member 60 also includes an arm portion 65 which extends in a direction opposite the direction of extension of the arm portions 62, 62a and which is operatively connected to the clevis member 61 in a manner which provides for pivoting movement of the clevis member 60 relative to the clevis member 61 about an axis parallel to the axis of the pin 44.

The arm portion 65 is received between vertically spaced arm portions 68, 69 of the clevis member 61. A pm member 70 extends through the arm portions 68, 69 of the clevis member 61 and through the arm portion 65 of the clevis member 60. The pin member 70 lies in a plane parallel to the pin 44 and permits pivoting movement of the clevis member 60 relative to the clevis member 61 about an axis which extends transverse to the axis of the pin member 63. The pin member 70 also intersects the axis of pins 40, 41 or the kick-up axis. The end of the clevis member 61 opposite the bifurcated end por tion 68 thereof is also bifurcated and includes horizontally spaced arm members 72, 74. The outer end of the link is received between the arm members 72 and 74 and is rotatably supported therebetween by a pin member 76 which extends between the arm members 72 and 74 and through the outer end of the link 50. As should be noted from the above description, the connecting means 52 permits pivoting movement of the bracket 56 about the axis of the pin 63 and/ or pin 76. At the same time the bracket 56 may pivot about the axis of the pin which extends transverse to the axis of the pins 63, 76.

The ends of the parallel links 51, 52 opposite the ends connected to the connecting means 61, 62 are connected to a tiller bar member which is supported by the forward joint housing 21 for pivot-a1 movement about a substantially vertical axis which is parallel to the axis of the pin 44. The tiller bar member 80 is provided with a substantially rectangular opening 82 therethrough through which the drive shaft 13 extends. The lower portion 84 of the tiller member 80 has a vertically extending pin 85 secured thereto which is received in an opening 86 in the forward joint housing member 21 and is pivotally supported therein. The upper portion 87 of the tiller member which extends parallel to the lower portion 84 thereof is also provided with a pin member 87a which is pivotally supported in an opening 88 in the upper portion of the forward joint housing. The pin members 85, 87a lie along a vertical common axis parallel to the axis of the pin members 44 and 76 and permit pivotal movement of the tiller member 80 about their common axis.

The lateral or side portions 91 and 91 of the tiller member are provided with pairs of hook-like projections 92, 93 and 94, 95, respectively. The projections 92, 93 and 94, 95 extend laterally outwardly of the portions 90 and 91, respectively, and are provided with slots 96 therein which intersect the inner sides of the projections, that is the side thereof opposite the side facing the bracket 56.

The slots 96 in the projections 92 and 93 rotatably receive pin portions of a trunnion member 1419 which is positioned between the projections 92, 93 and the trunnion member 100 is pivotal relative to the members about an axis parallel to pins 44, 70 and parallel to the axis of pivotal movement of the tiller member 89. The trunnion member 160 is provided with an opening in a central or block portion thereof and the link member 50 is slidably received thereby and extends therethrough and is provided with a threaded portion extending beyond the block portion of the trunnion member 1%. A suitable nut member is secured to the outermost threaded portion of the link 52 and secures the inner end of the link 5% to the trunnion member 190. In a similar manner the inner end of the link 51 is secured to a trunnion member 119 having opposite pin portions which are rotatably positioned in the slots in the projections 94 and 95. The central or block portion of the trunnion member is provided with an opening therethrough and the inner end of the link member 51 is slidably received therein and extends through the opening and is threaded so as to receive a nut member 114 for securing the inner end of the link member 51 to the trunnion member 116. The horizontal distance between the common axis of the pin portions 85, 87a and the axis of the trunnions 100, 110 designated A, B, respectively, in FIG. 7 are equal to each other and to the horizontal distance between the axis of the pin membars 44 and the respective pins 70, designated C, D, respectively, in FIG. 7.

. From the above description it should be apparent that upon pivotal movement of the tiller member 80" about the axis of the pin portions 85 and 87a from the position shown in FIG. 5, the link members 50 and 51 will be moved depending upon the direction of rotation of the tiller member. For example, when the tiller member is rotated in the direction of the full line arrow shown in FIG. 5, the link 51 is tensioned or pulled in the direction of the arrow 116 causing the bracket member 56 which is secured to the rear joint housing 27 to be pivoted about the axis of the pin 44. This movement results in turning of the propeller 1 1 and results in turning of the boat in a Y direction dependent upon the disposition of the propeller. On the other hand, when the tiller member 80 is pivoted in the direction of the dotted arrow shown in FIG. 5, the link member 50 is tensioned and pulled in the direction of the dotted arrow 117, while the link member 51 moves in the direction of the dotted arrow 118. This results in pivoting movement of the bracket 56 in a reverse direction and turning movement of the propeller 11 about the axis of the pin 44 causing a change in the disposition of the propeller 11 in the water and efiecting a turning of the boat. The link members 50, 51 are tensioned to eifect turning of the boat and may be termed tension members and are not required to act in compression.

The tiller member 80 may be rotated in order to effect steering of the boat in any conventional manner. To this end the tiller member 80 is operatively connected to an actuator or control member 120 which is connected to the pin portion 37a of the tiller member and extends in a direction forwardly of the tiller member 80 and has its end opposite the end connected to the tiller member 80 terminating on the inside of thetransom member 15. The control member 126 extends through an opening or passageway 121 in the housing. Specifically, the control member 121 extends between the upper portion 122 of the engine mount adapter 29 and the forward joint housing member 22. The end of the member 126 opposite the end connected to the tiller member 80 pivotally supports a suitable connection 123 adapted to be connected to a suitable actuating mechanism such as a conventional cable and pulley system or a conventional linkage arrangement controlled by the operator to effect movement of the, arm 12% and rotation of the tiller member 30 so as to effect steering of the boat, as above described.

The steering mechanism 49 includes means for locking the mechanism so that it cannot be operated. Accordingly, the arm member. 120 is provided with an opening 125 intermediate its ends. When the tiller member and arm member 120 are positioned in the position shown in FIG. 4, the opening 125 is in alignment with an opening 126 in the forward joint housing 22. A suitable pin member 127 may be positioned to extend through the opening 125 and into the opening 126 to lock the control arm member 120 in the position shown in FIG. 4 and,

when so locked the steering mechanism cannot be operated.

The pin member 127 is positioned so as to lock the steering mechanism when it is desired to remove the drive from the boat. A connection to a transmission shift lever, not shown, which controls the position of a transmission in the marine drive is also disconnected. Moreover, the,

actuator or control member 120 of the steering mechanism is disconnected from the actuating mechanism on the boat for operating the control member 120. Specifically, the connector member 123 is disconnected from the actuator.

member. A cam lock, not shown, which locks the drive to the boat, is released to permit removal of the drive from the boat. A cam lock releasably locks the forward joint housing portion 22 to the engine mount adaptor sleeve 26, and such a lock is shown by way of exampleas comprising a pin member 128 which extends through aligned openings in the adaptor sleeve 20 and housing portion 22 and which is removable therefrom to unlock the adaptor sleeve 20 and forward joint housing. When unlocked the forward joint housing 21 may then be swiveled about the axis of the engine mount adaptor 20 so that the outboard power leg may be moved to extend either verticalllupward or toward the side for trailering, storage, etc., rather than downward as shown in the drawings. Moreover, when unlocked, the forward joint housing 21 may be pulled away from the boat and out of the engine mount adaptor 20 thereby removing the marine drive from the boat. The steering mechanism 49 being supported internally of the marine drive housing is removed with the marine drive.

From the above description the operation of the steering mechanism 49 should be apparent. However, reference is made to FIGS. 7 and 8, which show various operative positions of the steering linkage mechanism 49 for different steering positions and for different kick-up positions of the outboard power leg 12. FIG. 7 shows the linkage in full lines in one extreme turned position and in dotdash lines in the other extreme turned condition. The steering linkage mechanism is shown in FIG. in a position wherein the boat is being steered in a straight direction.

In the straight ahead steering position the tiller member 86 extends substantially perpendicular to the links 5t 51 and the bracket 56 extends substantially parallel to the tiller member 84?. Upon movement of the tiller memberSi) in the direction of the full arrow shown in FIG. 5 to its extreme position, the link 51 is pulled in the direction of the arrow 116 causing the linkage to take the position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 7. In moving to the position shown in FIG. 7, the clevis members 6%) pivot about their associated pins 70 and the pins 63 connecting the clevis members 66 to the flange portions 54, 55 of the bracket 55 are located so as to intersect the kick-up axis provided by the pins 49, 41. Moreover, in the fully turned position, illustrated in full lines in FIG. 7, the pin 76 which connects the clevis member 68 to the link member 50 is located so that the axis of the pin 76 coextends with the kick-up axis while the axis of pin '76 which connects clevis member 61 to link 51 extends parallel to the kick-up axis.

When the steering mechanism 49 is in the full line position shown in FIG. 7 and the outboard power leg 12 engages an object in the water, the outboard power leg is free to kick up about the kick-up axis provided by the pins and 41. In this fully turned position the steering linkage mechanism permits kicking up of the power leg 12 and the bracket 56 connected thereto by permitting pivoting movement about the pins 76 which extend parallel to the kick-up axis and co-extensive to the kick-up axis, respectively.

Upon turning of the tiller member 80 to its extreme position in the direction indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 7, the steering linkage 49 is actuated to the position indicated by the dotdash lines in FIG. 7 in which the outboard power leg 12 is fully turned to an extreme position. Upon turning of the tiller member 8% in the direction of the dotted arrow shown in FIG. 7, the rod member 50 is pulled forwardly in the direction of the dotted arrow 117. This causes the rod member 51 to move in the direction of the dotted arrow 118 and results in turning the outboard power leg 12 about the steering axis provided by the pin 44. When the outboard power leg is turned to its extreme position as shown by dot-dash lines in FIG. 7, the pin 76 which connects the link member 51 to the clevis member 61 is located on the kick-up axis provided by the pins it and 41 while the pin 75 connected to the link 59 extends parallel to the pick-up axis. When the linkage is in the fully turned position as shown in dot-dash lines and the outboard power leg engages an object in the water, the outboard power leg 12 will kick up about the kick-up axis and the steering mechanism 49 will break or pivot about the pins '76 in the manner as described hereinabove when the steering mechanism is in its other extreme turned position.

FIG. 8 shows the position of the steering linkage mechanism 49 when the outboard power leg is kicked up with the steering linkage in its straight ahead position. With the steering linkage mechanism 49 in its straight ahead position, when the outboard power leg 12 engages an object in the water, the outboard power leg 12 kicks up about the kick-up axis provided by the pins 40 and 41. This causes the pins 63 to move vertically about the axis pins 49, 41. In moving the pins 63 about the kick-up axis, the pins 76 tend to pivot downwardly as viewed in FIG. 6. However, this tendency to pivot downwardly is resisted by the trunnion block 114) and as a result pivoting movement in a downward direction is limited. The pins 76, rather than pivoting downwardly, are free to move linearly relative to the trunnion blocks 100, from the dot-dash position shown in FIG. 8 to the full line position shown in FIG. 8 because of the sliding connection between the links 50, 51 and their associated trunnions 100, 11% and the links 50, 51 slide relative to their associated trunnions to the position shown in FIG. 8. In this manner the steering linkage mechanism 49 permits kicking up of the outboard power leg when the boat is in a straight ahead steered condition. For intermediate positions of the steering mechanism such as when in a partially turned condition, that is partially turned in either direction from the straight ahead condition it should be readily apparent that the steering mechanism will permit kicking up of the outboard power leg at these intermediate steered positions.

It should be apparent that the above description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been made in considerable detail. However, certain modifications, adaptations and changes in structure may be made therein by those skilled in the art and it is hereby intended to cover all modifications, changes and adaptations which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A marine drive for a boat powered by the rotation of a propeller comprising drive means for rotating said propeller including a shaft member extending through an opening in said boat, housing means enclosing said drive means and including an outboard power leg housing portion supporting said propeller and a forward housing portion supported by the boat, means interconnecting said housing portions and supporting said outboard power leg housing portion for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical steering axis for turning said propeller for steering purposes and for movement about a substantially horizontal kick-up axis for kick-up of said outboard power leg housing portion, and means for rotating said outboard power leg portion about said steering axis and permitting turning of said outboard power leg portion about said kick-up axis including an actuating member extending through said opening in said boat through which said shaft member extends, a tiller member connected to said actuating member and pivotal about a substantially vertical axis parallel to said steering axis, said tiller member having an opening therethrough through which said shaft member extends and laterally projecting arms which extend to opposite sides of said tiller member, a trunnion member supported on opposite sides or" said tiller member by said projecting arms for pivotal movement relative thereto about a substantially vertical axis parallel to said steering axis, a pair of elongated rod members connected to said trunnion members and slidable relative thereto, the other end of said rod members being connected to said outboard power leg housing portion.

2. A marine drive for a boat powered by the rotation of a propeller comprising drive means for rotating said propeller including a shaft member extending through an opening in said boat, housing means enclosing said drive means and including an outboard power leg housing portion and a forward housing portion supported by the boat, means interconnecting said housing portions and supporting said outboard power leg housing portion for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical steering axis for turning said poipeller for steering purposes and for movement of said outboard power leg housing portion about a substantially horizontal kick-up axis to provide for kick-up of said propeller, and means for rotating said outboard power leg portion about said steering axis and permitting turning of said outboard power leg portion about said kick-up axis including an actuating member, a tiller member connected to said actuating member and pivotal about a substantially vertical axis parallel to said steering axis, said tiller member having an opening therethrough through which said shaft member extends, a pair of trunnion members pivotally supported on opposite sides of said tiller member for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis parallel to said steering axis, an elongated rod member slidably connected to each of said trunnion members and slidable relative thereto, and connecting means connecting said rod members to said outboard power leg housing portion and allowing movement of said outboard power leg portion about said kick-up and steering axis relative to said rod members.

3. A marine drive for a boat as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said connecting means comprises a pair of clevis members pivotally connected to each other for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to said steering axis, one of said clevis members being pivotally connected to its associated rod member for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to said kick-up axis and the other of said clevis members being connected to said outboard power leg housing portion.

4. A marine drive for a boat comprising a propeller for powering the boat, a drive means for rotating said propeller, housing means encompassing said drive means, said housing means including an outboard power leg housing portion supporting said propeller and a forward housing portion adapted to be supported by the boat, a yoke member interconnecting said housing portions and supporting said outboard power leg housing portion for movement relative to said forward housing portion about a substantially vertical steering axis for turning movement of the outboard power leg portion and propeller for steering purposes and supported by said forward housing portion for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal kick-up axis for kick-up movement with the outboard power leg housing portion about said horizontal kick-up axis, steering means located within said housing means and including a steering member movable to effect turning of the outboard power leg housing portion and propeller relative to said forward housing portion about said steering axis and means pivotally connecting said steering member to said outboard power leg housing portion for relative movement about an axis otfset from said kick-up axis and allowing movement of said outboard power leg housing portion and said yoke about said kick-up axis, and said means pivotally connecting said steering member to said outboard power leg includes a connecting member connected with the interior of said forward housing portion and operatively associated with said steering member.

5. A marine drive for a boat comprising a propeller for powering the boat, a drive means for rotating said propeller, housing means encompassing said drive means, said housing means including an outboard power leg housing member supporting said porpeller and a forward housing portion adapted to be supported by the boat, a yoke member interconnecting said outboard power leg housing member and said forward housing portion and providing for pivotal movement of said outboard power leg housing member relative to said forward housing portion about a substantially vertical steering axis for turning movement of the outboard power leg housing member and propeller for steering purposes and supported by said forward housing portion for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal kick-up axis for kick-up movement with the outboard power leg housing member about said kick-up axis, and steering means located within said housing means and including a link movable to effect turning of said outboard power leg housing member and propeller relative to said forward housing portion about said steering axis and means operatively connecting said link with one of said members for relative pivotal movement about an axis olfset from said kick-up axis and allowing movement of said outboard power leg housing member and said yoke member together about said kickup axis, and said means connecting said link member with 10 one of said members includes a connecting member connected with said one of said members interiorly of said housing means.

6. A marine drive for a boat as defined in claim 5 wherein said steering means located within said housing means includes. a parallelogram linkage and said link member comprises one link thereof and wherein said parallelogram linkage includes a tiller member mounted for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to said substantially vertical axis and said one link is connected to one lateral side of said tiller member and another link ex tending parallel thereto is connected to the other lateral side thereof and said links are connected with said outboard power leg housing member.

7. A marine drive for a boat as defined in claim 6 wherein said means connecting said link members to said outboard power leg housing member comprises a pair of clevis members pivotally connected to each other for pivotal movement about an axis extending substantially parallel to said substantially vertical axis and connected to said link associated therewith and the outboard power leg member for pivotal movement about an axis which extends in a direction transverse to said substantially vertical axis and which is substantially parallel with said kickup axis.

8. A marine drive for a boat as defined in claim 5 further including an actuating member movable to effect movement of said link member, said link member being pivotally connected to said actuating member and slidable relative thereto and said link member sliding relative to said actuating member upon kick-up movement of said outboard power leg member and said yoke member about said kick-up axis.

9. A marine drive for a boat powered by a propeller compriisng drive means for rotating said propeller including a shaft member extending through an opening in said boat, housing means enclosing said drive means including an outboard power leg housing portion supporting said propeller and a forward housing portion supported by the boat, means interconnecting said housing portions and supporting said outboard power leg housing portion for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical steering axis for turning said propeller for steering purposes and for movement about a substantially horizontal kick-up axis for kick-up movement of said outboard power leg housing portion, and steering means for turning said outboard power leg housing portion about said steering axis and allowing for movement of the outboard power leg housing portion about asid kick-up axis includ ing an actuating member extending through said opening in said boat through which said shaft member extends, a tiller member connected to the actuating member and pivotal about a substantially vertical axis parallel to said steering axis, said tiller member having an opening therethrough through which said shaft member extends and laterally projecting portions which extend on opposite sides of said tiller member and link members connected to each of said projecting portions of said tiller member at one end and having their other ends operatively connected with said outboard power leg housing portion to elfect turning thereof about said vertical steering axis.

10. A mechanism for turning an operating member supported for movement about first and second axes about the first axis comprising a control member operable upon actuation to effect turning of the operating member about said first axis, a tiller member connected to said control member and pivotal about an axis substantially parallel to said first axis upon actuation of said control member, a pair of trunnion members pivotally supported by said tiller member for pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to said first axis, a pair of elongated link members each slidably connected at one end to a respective one of said trunnion members and pivotal there with and slidable relative thereto upon movement of said operating member about said second axis, and connecting means pivotally connecting said link members to said op- 1 l 1 2 crating member for movement about an axis offset from 2,999,476 9/1961 Johnson 115-65 said second axis and operable upon rotation of said tiller 3,006,311 10/ 1961 Hansson et a1 11535 member to turn said operating member about said first 3,136,282 6/1964 Alexander 11535 axis and allowing for movement of said operating mem- 3,136,283 96 McCormick 11541 X be r ab0ut said second axis. 5

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 45 4 19 Perkins 115 35 M LT N BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

1,810,154 6/1931 Alig 1151 10 FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Examiner.

340,367 1/1931 Great Britain. 

1. A MARINE DEVICE FOR A BOAT POWERED BY THE ROTATION OF A PROPELLER COMPRISING DRIVE MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID PROPELLER INCLUDING A SHAFT MEMBER EXTENDING THROUGH AN OPENING IN SAID BOAT, HOUSING MEANS ENCLOSING SAID DRIVE MEANS AND INCLUDING AN OUTBOARD POWER LEG HOUSING PORTION SUPPORTING SAID PROPELLER AND A FORWARD HOUSING PORTION SUPPORTED BY THE BOAT, MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID HOUSING PORTIONS AND SUPPORTING SAID OUTBOARD POWER LEG HOUSING PORTION FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL STEERING AXIS FOR TURNING SAID PROPELLER FOR STEERING PURPOSES AND FOR MOVEMENT ABOUT A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL KICK-UP AXIS FOR KICK-UP OF SAID OUTBOARD POWER LEG HOUSING PORTION, AND MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID OUTBOARD POWER LEG PORTION ABOUT SAID STEERING AXIS AND PERMITTING TURNING OF SAID OUTBOARD POWER LEG PORTION ABOUT SAID KICK-UP AXIS INCLUDING AN ACTUATING MEMBER EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPENING IN SAID BOAT THROUGH WHICH SAID SHAFT MEMBER EXTENDS, A TILLER MEMBER CONNECTED TO SAID ACTUATING MEMBER AND PIVOTAL ABOUT A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL AXIS PARALLEL TO SAID 